Chapter 285: From Now on, The Ortiz Family Will Be Your Backing
I chugged the milk and noticed it was still early. Madison looked like she had something on her mind but was holding back, so I couldn't help but grin.
"What's up?" I asked.
When it came to being a mom and daughter, Madison and I were total rookies. It was kinda awkward and weird, but I could feel her love, no doubt.
Madison's eyes were all soft and loving as she said, "It's nothing big. I was just thinking, since you'll be moving in soon and it's still early, why don't we go upstairs and pick a room? That way, I can set up your bedroom just how you like it."
A wave of emotion hit me, and I smiled. "No need to pick. I'll go with whatever you decide."
"Really?" Madison looked worried I was just being nice. "Don't be so formal with me. You're my only daughter..."
"I'm not being formal!" I cut in, hugging her arm gently. "I just know whatever you set up will be awesome. So, I can chill."
Madison raised an eyebrow. "Alright then, I'll turn the study next to the master bedroom into your room, so we can be close. How's that?"
"Sounds perfect!" I agreed quickly, laughing. "Then I won't feel bad about taking your favorite spot."
Knowing Madison was my mom, the person I was most connected to, made me totally open and honest. I agreed so fast because I wanted to be close to her.
Madison smiled. "Don't say that. What's mine is yours."
Seeing I wasn't being distant, she relaxed and brought up something serious. "Is everything okay with Jerry?"
"Should be fine."
"That's good." Madison chuckled, "If he can't handle this, he can't be my son-in-law."
"You're right!" I laughed, "But Mom, the more you get to know him, the more you'll like him."
Madison joked, "I'm still planning to check him out more, and you're already defending him?"
I explained, "No, it's just that he's a really, really good guy."
Madison asked, "A good guy? How so?"
"Well..." I thought for a moment and then smiled, "He seems indifferent to everything, but once he cares about someone, he never lets them down."
"I've heard about that." Madison smiled. "He waited for you for over twenty years, right?"
"Yep."
Twenty years of waiting was proof enough of his love for me.
Madison gave my head a gentle pat. "If you two end up together, I'll be over the moon."
I raised an eyebrow. "We definitely will, so you can start celebrating now."
"Silly goose," Madison laughed, then switched gears. "Juniper's been digging into the Harris family lately. Is Mrs. Harris still in the nursing home?"
"Yeah," I nodded, feeling a bit happy. "Claire's getting out soon."
Madison asked, "What's your plan for the Harris family?"
"We'll see after Claire's out," I said, looking firmly at Madison. "But if Claire wants me to take over, I won't say no."
Madison sighed, "I don't want you tangled up with them."
"But Claire's been really good to me," I said, sipping my coffee. "Larry, Skylar, and Kimberly won't treat her right."
Madison asked, "Kimberly's the daughter they adopted later?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "Skylar treats her like her own."
Madison frowned. "Isn't she two years younger than you?"
"How'd you know?"
Madison smiled sympathetically. "Larry's probably raising a daughter for Skylar's old flame."
I was taken aback. "What do you mean? Kimberly's Skylar's ex's kid?"
"Just a hunch," Madison chuckled. "Skylar's first love was a gang leader in Maple Valley named Sawyer Murphy. He went to prison, and that's when Skylar hooked up with Larry."
Madison added, "Sawyer got married after he got out. His wife died in childbirth, and then he killed someone important enough to get him in deep trouble. He fled abroad, leaving a newborn behind, and vanished."
I was stunned, processing this. "So, you think Kimberly's that kid? But why would Skylar treat her ex's kid so well?"
Knowing Skylar, she'd probably want to get rid of the kid.
Madison chuckled, "Do you know who Sawyer killed for?"
I was shocked. "For Skylar?"
Madison didn't say anything, just gave me a look that sent chills down my spine.
The doorbell rang, and the servant went to open it. A bunch of casually dressed folks came in, carrying all sorts of stuff.
"Stop thinking about it for now," Madison glanced at the time and said proudly, "Let's get you ready. Tonight, you're gonna be the most stunning one."
The celebration party was set at a swanky six-star hotel in Maple Valley. The banquet hall was all glitz and glam, with fancy lights and top-notch standards. The guest list was full of high rollers and big shots.
Guests were already trickling in with their invites when I got to the entrance of the hall. Just then, Jerry called to say he was on his way.
I hung up with a smile, and Madison, seeing right through me, asked, "Is my future son-in-law done with his work?"
"Mom!" I said, a bit embarrassed. "You just said you wanted to check him out more."
Madison chuckled, "If you're so happy with him, what more do I need to see? I'll trust your judgment. I believe the guy you picked must be one in a million."
"Madison, what do you mean by one in a million? What son-in-law?" A lively female voice suddenly chimed in from behind.
I turned around to see Sophia, arm-in-arm with Neil and holding Nolan's hand, coming from the elevator. They looked like the perfect family, and no one wouldn't guess they were divorced.
Madison was a bit surprised to see Neil, but before she could say anything, Nolan greeted her and then rushed into my arms.
Nolan said sweetly, "Hope, I missed you!"
I smiled. "Me too, buddy."
Today, Madison had picked out a dress for me that was a real departure from my usual simple style. It was elegant with floral elements. The off-the-shoulder neckline looked like a blooming flower, and intricate petal patterns adorned the dress.
Because of this, I couldn't hug Nolan, but he was a good sport and just held my hand, standing quietly by my side.
Neil, with his reserved and deep demeanor, was dressed to the nines in a suit, his shirt buttoned up to the top, looking both noble and stiff.
When Neil looked at Madison, he cleared his throat nervously and said, "Madison, I'm sorry for showing up unannounced, but there are some things I need to talk to you about in person."
Without waiting for Madison to respond, he continued, not caring about the people passing by. "You don't need to worry about dragging me into anything anymore. Now, I call the shots in the Ortiz family, and I can protect you!"
I didn't know what Madison was thinking, but my eyes welled up with tears.
I was easily moved by their affection, knowing that they were both my family.
Turning my head, I saw Madison with red eyes, looking away as if holding back tears. She then looked back at Neil and said, "When you were little, you used to cry for me to change your diapers, and now you can protect me?"
Sophia almost choked on her saliva, laughing uncontrollably.
Neil cleared his throat, showing no embarrassment, and looked steadily at Madison, "Madison, are you not mad at me anymore?"
I withdrew my gaze from Madison and looked at Neil, smiling. "Neil, my mom has never been mad at you."
Neil's temple twitched. "What did you say?"
Seeing his changing expressions, Sophia couldn't help but laugh again, "Alright, Madison, Hope, let's go to the lounge. There are too many people here."
At this time, there weren't many guests yet, and those who wanted to talk to Madison didn't dare interrupt seeing Neil there.
We all went straight to the lounge.
In a few words, Sophia explained my and Madison's relationship to Neil.
When Neil looked at me, the usually authoritative head of the Ortiz family almost cried and laughed at the same time. In the end, he handed me a black card, "I didn't prepare a gift for you. Use this card as you like."
I looked at the card in my hand, stunned.
Though Neil was old-fashioned, his gift was good. The black card in my hand was enough to buy a big villa in Serenity Manor.
Seeing Madison nod at me, I smiled and accepted, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Neil cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "Half of the Ortiz family belongs to your mom and you. This is nothing. From now on, the Ortiz family is your backing."
The atmosphere in the lounge was very harmonious.
Neil and Madison must have been very close before. Once they talked things out, the sense of distance disappeared completely.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
I was about to get up when Neil motioned for me to sit down. He got up to open the door and nodded slightly to the person outside. "You're here?"
"Hello, Mr. Ortiz." Jerry's casual voice came through the half-open door. He didn't rush in but glanced at Sophia. "Did you explain all your scandals to my cousin?"
"Yes, I did."
"That's good." Jerry nodded, looking exhausted, leaned against the door frame. "If you really want to remarry, you'd better treat her well. Otherwise, I won't agree."
"Okay." Neil nodded and suddenly said, "You'd better treat my niece well in the future. Otherwise, I won't allow her to marry into the Hammer family."
Jerry frowned and smirked, "Me? Marry your niece?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
